TOKYO in bloom

Take a trip to Japans capital during its stunning cherry blossom season

- LAURA MILLAR

Why go? 

Spring can truly be said to have sprung when the first blossoms appear. And nowhere is this truer than in Japan, where sakura, or cherry blossom tree season (usually mid-to-late March), is practically a national obsession. As buds burst open in parks and on streets across the country, people gather for picnics and hanami (flower viewing parties) to celebrate the beauty of the pastel-pink petals. It’s the perfect reason to visit Tokyo, Japan’s vibrant, bustling capital, which mixes tradition and modernity in a number of beguiling ways.

Indulge in art and culture

As you might expect, Tokyo is a big hitter when it comes to galleries and museums, but some are a little more playful than others.

You’ll find exhibitions of classic Japanese woodblock prints and calligraphy at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum in Ueno (tobikan.jp/en) and everything from Yayoi Kusama’s iconic pumpkin sculptures to colourful paintings by Henri Matisse at The National Art Center in Roppongi (nact.jp/english). If you’re a fan of My Neighbour Totoro, the Ghibli Museum is a must. Set in Inokashira Park, it’s dedicated to the works of Studio Ghibli (ghibli-museum.jp/en).